Molded flourescent tube dunnage element

Abstract

Fluorescent tube-supporting dunnage elements (10) are provided which are designed to ensure easy machine-dispensibility thereof by preventing complete nesting of a stack of interfitted supports (10). The supports (10) are integral, thermo-formed bodies presently a plurality of elongated, open-top, juxtaposed tube-receiving recesses (24) each presenting alternating, upwardly and downwardly opening and diverging wall sections (52,54) interconnected by short upright walls (56). The walls (56) are provided with outwardly extending, upwardly opening arcuate ridges (58) which prevent complete nesting of stacked supports (10).

I claim: 
     
       1. In a fluorescent tube support formed of synthetic resin material and presenting an integral body having concavo-convex walls defining a number of elongated, open-top, parallel, juxtaposed, concave tube-receiving regions, said region-defining walls including a first plurality of axially spaced apart, upwardly opening and diverging tube-engaging arcuate first wall sections, a second plurality of axially spaced apart, downwardly opening and diverging tube-engaging arcuate wall sections alternating with said first wall sections, and connecting walls extending between and interconnecting said alternating first and second walls, the improvement which comprises at least certain of said connecting walls each including outwardly extending, arcuate ridges thereon for preventing complete nesting of a pair of said supports when stacked together. 
     
     
       2. The tube support of claim 1, said ridge having an upwardly opening curvature. 
     
     
       3. The tube support of claim 2, said ridges having a curvature generally parallel with the curvature of said first wall sections.